Lyla Lindsey
Termites are a common pest in Australia, and they can be difficult to identify due to the country's vast array of insect species. Termites are often mistaken for ants, but they are not related. Flying termites, also known as alates or swarmers, are the reproductive members of the colony and are often seen in the warmer months after rain. They are characterised by their wings, straight antennae, and tendency to swarm. In this article, we will explore the signs of flying termites, their appearance, and the steps to take if you spot them.
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What You'll Learn
Flying termites are often confused with flying ants
The two insects also differ in colour. Termites are typically black or dark brown, while flying ants can be black, brown, or reddish. The wings of termites are white and stack on top of each other, giving them a feather-like appearance when crawling. In contrast, flying ants have brown-tinted wings that do not stack exactly on top of each other.
Another way to differentiate between the two is their preferred habitat. Flying ants prefer to establish their colonies outdoors in warm and moist climates, whereas termites tend to set up their colonies indoors, where they can feed on wooden structures and furniture.
It is important to accurately identify whether you are dealing with flying ants or termites, as termites can cause significant structural damage to your home. While flying ants can be a nuisance, they do not eat wood and therefore will not result in the same level of damage as termites.
The presence of ants is a strong indication that you are dealing with flying ants rather than termites. Additionally, carpenter ants, a type of flying ant, can be larger, ranging from 13 to 17mm in length. If you spot winged insects that are smaller than this, you are likely dealing with termites.
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They have four wings of equal size and straight antennae
Flying termites, also known as alates, swarmers, or winged termites, are a common pest in Australia. They are often mistaken for flying ants, moths, or flies due to their size and appearance. However, one distinct feature that sets them apart is that flying termites have four wings of equal size, while flying ants have larger front wings.
The presence of flying termites indicates a mature colony nearby, and they are usually spotted during specific times of the year, typically in the warmer months after rain. They are attracted to light, so they are often seen near windows, outdoor lights, or ceiling lights in homes. If you notice termite flying activity, it is crucial to act quickly to prevent an infestation and potential damage to your property.
The appearance of flying termites is a sign that they are reproductive members of the colony, responsible for starting new colonies. They develop wings and fly out of the existing colony to mate and establish new ones. While their swarming season can create large numbers, only a small portion of them survive to form these new colonies.
In addition to their four wings of equal size, flying termites have straight antennae. They range in size, typically between 4 and 10mm in length, but some queen termites can grow up to 2-3 inches long. The colour of termites can vary, but most species in Australia are creamy white, pale yellow, or dark brown when they have wings during mating seasons.
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They are usually seen in swarms and are known as swarmers
Flying termites, or alates, are a fascinating subset of the termite family and are often seen in swarms. These swarms are a distinctive feature of termite biology and are an essential part of their life cycle and survival strategy. Termites have a complex caste system, and within this system, the swarmers are the reproductive members with wings and the ability to fly. These swarmers are commonly known as "kings" and "queens". The presence of flying termites is a clear indication of a mature termite colony nearby.
Termites usually swarm during the day, particularly after rain or during humid weather. This is because they require moisture to survive, and the humidity provides a suitable environment for their flight. The swarms often occur in large numbers, and the sight of these termite kings and queens taking to the skies en masse can be quite a spectacle. They are weak fliers, and their flight is often short-lived, lasting only a few minutes.
These swarmers are attracted to light and are often seen flying towards windows or light sources. They tend to be most active during the spring and summer seasons, particularly in the afternoon or early evening. The presence of flying termites in a swarm indicates that they are leaving their original colony in search of a new location to start a nest and become king and queen of their own colony. This is a critical part of their reproductive strategy.
While the swarmers themselves do not cause structural damage, their presence indicates an established termite colony in the vicinity, which may already be causing damage to buildings or timber structures. Therefore, it is essential to take preventative measures and arrange for a termite inspection if flying termites are seen in swarms. This will help identify and manage any potential termite infestations before they cause significant damage.
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Flying termites are reproductive members of the colony
Termites are a common pest in Australia, and they can be difficult to identify due to the country's vast array of insect species. They are often mistaken for ants, moths, or flies. However, flying termites, also known as swarmers or alates, are the reproductive members of a termite colony. They develop wings, eyes, and a dark colour, setting them apart from the worker termites, which make up most of the colony.
The reproductive termites are the only type of termite caste that homeowners usually see because the workers are always hidden within timbers or underground. These flying termites are on a mission to find a mate and establish a new colony. They fly in large numbers, and their appearance can be very upsetting for residents who may not understand what these insects are or how they have ended up inside their homes.
The termite life cycle begins when reproductives fly around in search of mates. Unfortunately, over 90% of these reproductive termites die during their journey due to predators such as birds, bats, and other insects. The few that survive will start a new colony. The reproductives shed their wings after finding a mate and will then dig a cell in the ground or wood to mate and establish the new colony.
Termite colonies consist of different castes or groups associated with the division of labour. Worker termites, which make up 90% to 98% of a colony, are about 1/4 inch long, cream-coloured, and eyeless. They navigate and perform their duties using tactile and chemical communication. They eat wood, care for baby termites, feed and clean other termites, gather food, and build shelter tubes. Soldier termites make up 2% to 5% of the colony and defend the colony against ants and competitor termites. They also accompany workers to food sources.
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They are also called alates and are the future kings and queens
Termites, also known colloquially as white ants, are a common pest in Australia. They are very secretive and live and feed inside timbers, hollowing them out from the inside. They are also known to infest furniture and other wood inside buildings.
Flying termites are the reproductive termites, also known as alates. They develop each year and grow wings, eyes, and a dark colour. They are the only type of termite caste that homeowners typically see, as the feeding termites (workers) are always concealed within timbers or underground. Alates are the future kings and queens of termite colonies. They are the ones that leave the nest to start new colonies. They are either male or female and are about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch long.
Alates are produced when a colony reaches a certain size, maturity, and ability to expand. They are often seen flying around sources of light, such as house lights or street lamps. They are usually on the move in a swarm, and this is why they are commonly known as "swarmers". The exact time of year swarmers leave the nest varies based on the species, typically from spring to fall. In Australia, they are most commonly seen in Melbourne every October and early November, and they fly throughout the summer, right through to March.
Alates fly only for a brief amount of time, so they also rely on their legs. They are poor flyers, and their technique is to launch themselves into the air and fly in a random direction. Once they have found a mate, they lose their wings and begin the process of building a new colony.
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Frequently asked questions
Flying termites, also known as alates, swarmers, or winged termites, are often mistaken for moths, flies, or ants. They are typically larger than ants and have four wings of the same size, straight antennae, and chubby, column-like bodies. Their colour varies from creamy white or pale yellow to dark brown or black.
Flying termites are attracted to light, so you may see them near windows, outdoor lights, or ceiling lights. You may also notice small piles of discarded wings near windowsills, door frames, or light fixtures. Other signs of an infestation include mud tubes on external walls or wooden structures, sawdust-like material or wood damage on furniture, and soft spots in flooring.
If you spot flying termites in your home, it is crucial to act quickly to prevent an infestation and further damage. Contact a licensed pest control professional to inspect your property and determine the appropriate treatment method for the specific termite species.
